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Phil Robertson in 2016

To the editor,

As an American, I am proud to admit that Phil Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” who has affection for shooting pumpkins and exercising his “free speech” on biblical issues of importance to our valued society has now quite properly positioned himself as the lead candidate for the Republican party nomination for president in 2016!

Many of his followers, like Sara P, will agree with his positions regarding the 20,177 amendments they think there are to the U.S. Constitution! Many fellow Republicans will cheer him on when he publicly wears his white sheet with religious symbols. Amen brother!

– Bob Krejci, Durango

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Hermosa Act: working together

To the editor,

Congratulations to all the people and organizations (more than 40!) that collaborated to put the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act on the table in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. Sen. Michael Bennett, D-Colo., and Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo., are to be commended for working together to get this bill introduced. The bill has had a subcommittee hearing in the Senate and will soon go through markup. There has yet to be a subcommittee hearing scheduled for the House, but one has been formally requested. So this bill still needs active, public support.

The bill supports local businesses (such as outdoor shops, restaurants, grocery stores), economic prosperity (oil and gas extraction in limited areas), recreation from one end of the spectrum to the other (including motorized off-road vehicles, biking,  peaceful hiking), as well as watershed protection.

Hermosa Creek is critical to the health of the Animas River and the cutthroat trout. Also important in this bill is the withdrawal of oil and gas leasing around Lake Nighthorse, Horse Gulch, Animas Mountain and Perins Peak.

More than 130 local businesses have endorsed this act. But we can’t let the momentum stop here. Please express your personal gratitude and support for the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act to both our senator and our congressional representative by sending a letter, calling them or contacting them via email: www.bennet.senate.gov and www.scott.tipton@mail.house.gov.

This is a great example of how we can work across political boundaries to accomplish something good for all of us in La Plata County.

– Allison Morrissey, Hesperus

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Not 100% satisfied

To the editor,

Attention!!! Atencion!!! King Soopers, aka City Market. This corporate entity is not my mother. It does not dictate for what, or how or why, this prepaid gift card is utilized.

It states clearly at the top of the card to treat as if it were cash.

To any or all concerned parties, this debate will be resolved promptly. Since you have so clearly stated your #1 goal is customer satisfaction.

–Lynn Koening, Durango

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A letter to Hawk Girl

To the editor,

Hawk girl darting down Animas Mount shoulder

aside in stair flight stepping Thursday

past excuse me wasn't that your totem

fan whirling me into your sun-stunned entrance.

 

Wisdom's found in the plain, leather bound

not those emblazoned with the latest praising

or high hither skin-tech-toned bodies

 

You'll never know when you get there

if you're not running toward, always away.

 

– Philippe LeFevere, Durango

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Use fireplaces safely, effectively

To the editor,

This winter, while your families gather around your home’s fireplace, enjoy the warm and cozy atmosphere, but don’t expect it to add much heat to your home. As little as 10 percent of the heat from a fire in an open masonry fireplace radiates into the house.

The National Association of Home Builders’ has published a handbook for homeowners, “Home Maintenance Made Easy,” contains helpful advice on how to safely build fires and maintain your fireplace:

n Your fireplace will add elegance and warmth if you use it safely and have it cleaned by a chimney cleaning professional at least once every five years (two years if you use it frequently). A wood-burning fireplace should be equipped with andirons (or a grate) and a well-fitting screen. It may have glass doors as well.

-  If you are in a newer home with a fresh air vent 4 to supply the fireplace with combustion air, open it and the damper before you start a fire. Then remember to close both when you are not using the fireplace so warm air will not escape in the winter and cool air will not escape in the summer.

- Build fires on the andirons or grate – not directly on the fireplace floor. Seasoned hardwood is the best fuel. Do not burn pine logs in your fireplace; they contain a tar that can start a fire in the chimney if it accumulates. Do not burn trash in the fireplace. Never use kerosene, gasoline, charcoal lighter fluid or other highly flammable liquids to start a fire.

- Begin with a small fire to allow the components of the fireplace to heat up slowly. Burn kindling and newspaper under the grate; stack two to three layers of logs with air space between them, placing the largest logs to the rear. You can burn one sheet of paper atop the stack to help the chimney start to draw.

n If the fire is still burning but you are finished enjoying it, close the glass doors if you have them to prevent heated air from being drawn up the chimney (until you can close the damper). But don’t close glass doors over a roaring fire, especially if you are burning hardwoods like oak or hickory; the heat could break the glass. When you close the doors over a burning fire, open the mesh screens first. This prevents excessive heat buildup on the mesh, which might warp or discolor it. Be sure the fire is out each night before you go to bed.

For gas fireplaces, which provide the comfort and style of a wood-burning unit but require less maintenance and produce less pollution, the handbook suggests:

- If your gas fireplace is vented, the flue or vent should be closed when the fireplace is not in use. Use the same safety precautions with a gas fireplace that you would with any other gas appliance.

-  There will be a slight delay after turning the switch on before a flame ignites. Flames should ignite gently and silently. If you notice any deviation from this or any gas smell, immediately shut off the switch and report the problem to the gas company.

For more home maintenance advice, contact the Home Builders Association of Southwest Colorado or go to myhomepress.com for information on current topics including social media, home design and more.

– Janet Enge, Executive Officer, Home Builders Association of Southwest Colorado